Published 11:39 am, Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Carissa and Michael Alvarado are Us The Duo. They're also married. They're also Vine superstars.

Carissa and Michael Alvarado are Us The Duo. They're also married. They're also Vine superstars.

Photo: Republic Records, Photographer

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Crystal O'Brien, from left, stars as Julia Sterroll, Elizabeth Marshall Black as Saunders and Lisa Villegas as Jane Banbury in Main Street Theater's production of Noël Coward's comedy "Fallen Angels."

Crystal O'Brien, from left, stars as Julia Sterroll, Elizabeth Marshall Black as Saunders and Lisa Villegas as Jane Banbury in Main Street Theater's production of Noël Coward's comedy "Fallen Angels."

Photo: Gary Fountain, Freelance

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(For the Chronicle/Gary Fountain, June 29, 2014)
Crystal O'Brien as Julia Sterroll, left, and Lisa Villegas as Jane Banbury, in this scene from Main Street Theater's production of Noel Coward's comedy "Fallen Angels." less

(For the Chronicle/Gary Fountain, June 29, 2014)
Crystal O'Brien as Julia Sterroll, left, and Lisa Villegas as Jane Banbury, in this scene from Main Street Theater's production of Noel Coward's comedy "Fallen ... more

Michael Alvarado and Carissa Rae are Us the Duo, performing Wednesday at Fitzgerald's.

Michael Alvarado and Carissa Rae are Us the Duo, performing Wednesday at Fitzgerald's.

Photo: Courtesy Houston Arts Alliance

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Katie Pell's sculpture "Charm and Weight" is among works on view in "The Beat'n Trail" at the Houston Arts Alliance.

Katie Pell's sculpture "Charm and Weight" is among works on view in "The Beat'n Trail" at the Houston Arts Alliance.

Photo: Courtesy Houston Arts Alliance

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Alistair Donkin plays the title character in âThe Sorcererâ with the Gilbert and Sullivan Society of Houston. Donkin, a veteran performer of the comic operas by the British duo of William S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan, began his career in the troupe that specialized in the pairâs works for more than a century, the DâOyly Carte Opera Company. less

Alistair Donkin plays the title character in âThe Sorcererâ with the Gilbert and Sullivan Society of Houston. Donkin, a veteran performer of the comic operas by the British duo of William S. Gilbert ... more

Photo: Michael Starghill, Jr., Photographer

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Alistair Donkin plays the title character in âThe Sorcererâ with the Gilbert and Sullivan Society of Houston. Donkin, a veteran performer of the comic operas by the British duo of William S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan, began his career in the troupe that specialized in the pairâs works for more than a century, the DâOyly Carte Opera Company. less

Alistair Donkin plays the title character in âThe Sorcererâ with the Gilbert and Sullivan Society of Houston. Donkin, a veteran performer of the comic operas by the British duo of William S. Gilbert ... more

Photo: Michael Starghill, Jr., Photographer

Image 13 of 17

Alistair Donkin plays the title character in âThe Sorcererâ with the Gilbert and Sullivan Society of Houston. Donkin, a veteran performer of the comic operas by the British duo of William S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan, began his career in the troupe that specialized in the pairâs works for more than a century, the DâOyly Carte Opera Company. less

Alistair Donkin plays the title character in âThe Sorcererâ with the Gilbert and Sullivan Society of Houston. Donkin, a veteran performer of the comic operas by the British duo of William S. Gilbert ... more

Photo: Michael Starghill, Jr., Photographer

Image 14 of 17

Alistair Donkin plays the title character in âThe Sorcererâ with the Gilbert and Sullivan Society of Houston. Donkin, a veteran performer of the comic operas by the British duo of William S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan, began his career in the troupe that specialized in the pairâs works for more than a century, the DâOyly Carte Opera Company. less

Alistair Donkin plays the title character in âThe Sorcererâ with the Gilbert and Sullivan Society of Houston. Donkin, a veteran performer of the comic operas by the British duo of William S. Gilbert ... more

Photo: Michael Starghill, Jr., Photographer

Image 15 of 17

Alistair Donkin plays the title character in âThe Sorcererâ with the Gilbert and Sullivan Society of Houston. Donkin, a veteran performer of the comic operas by the British duo of William S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan, began his career in the troupe that specialized in the pairâs works for more than a century, the DâOyly Carte Opera Company. less

Alistair Donkin plays the title character in âThe Sorcererâ with the Gilbert and Sullivan Society of Houston. Donkin, a veteran performer of the comic operas by the British duo of William S. Gilbert ... more

Photo: Michael Starghill, Jr., Photographer

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Alistair Donkin as "The Sorcerer"

Alistair Donkin as "The Sorcerer"

Photo: Michael Starghill, Jr., Photographer

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Chronicle critics offer entertainment suggestions

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EVERETT EVANS

Theater

Wayward wives?

Main Street Theater brightens the summer with its fine, fizzy revival of "Fallen Angels," an early and neatly crafted comedy by the incomparable Noël Coward, directed with style by Claire Hart-Palumbo. Crystal O'Brien and Lisa Villegas make a well-matched team as dissatisfied wives Julia and Jane, who go a little haywire when they learn a former mutual flame is back in London and wants to see them again - conveniently, while their fuddy-duddy husbands are away for a weekend of golf. Alternately horrified and thrilled at the prospect of the rendezvous and all that might ensue, Julia and Jane bicker, get sloshed and try to decide whether to flee or make themselves alluring. 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays, 3 p.m. Sundays, through Aug. 3; Main Street Theater, 2540 Times; $20-$39; 713-524-6706, mainstreettheater.com.

JOEY GUERRA

Pop music

In with a Banga

In just a few short years, San Antonio's Austin Mahone has gone from YouTube star to full-blown heartthrob. His video covers picked up attention from major labels, which led to a 2013 EP and this year's full-length "The Secret." Several dance-pop singles - including "Say Somethin," "What About Love" and "Banga! Banga!" - have amped up his profile. Mahone has yet to score that one breakout hit that makes him a radio star. But it's likely just a matter of time. With the Vamps, Shawn Mendes and Fifth Harmony. 7 p.m. Saturday at NRG Arena, 1 Reliant Park; $29.50-$65; 832-667-1400 or ticketmaster.com.

Folk-pop music

Do it for the Vine

Husband and wife Michael and Carissa Rae Alvarado, known as Us the Duo, have made history with album "No Matter Where You Are." The pair amassed tons of attention, and fans, via covers of well-known hits on Vine, which loops 6-second videos and sends them out to followers. (Us the Duo is at almost 4 million fans.) They became the first act to sign a major deal via the social-media app, which led to a national tour and even more attention. The album, released this year, highlights the duo's sweet, sincere harmonies and charm. 7 p.m. Wednesday at Fitzgerald's, 2706 White Oak; $15; 713-862-3838 or fitzlivemusic.com.

Americana

The Kinsey report

Local favorite Craig Kinsey's new solo album, "American Roots and Machines," has been three years in the making. It's the follow-up to his acclaimed 2011 album, "The Burdener," and boasts everything from gypsy rock 'n' roll to soul, punk to Creole, folk to gospel. With Buxton, the Happen-Ins, Kam Franklin and Dem Damn Dames. 8 p.m. Saturday at Fitzgerald's, 2706 White Oak; $10; 713-862-3838 or fitzlivemusic.com.

MOLLY GLENTZER

Market

Swap till you drop

If you're in the market for art, the Station Museum of Contemporary Art has an especially good enticement Saturday. It's fostering responsible consumerism by hosting the quarterly Houston Re-Market, an event featuring affordable goods by vendors who use recycled and reused materials and other sustainable practices. It's also a community garage sale and a swap (exchange your gently used, unwanted items for something new). And where else will you find a recycling drop-off with live music and a food truck? While you're there, step inside and view the terrific exhibition "Collective Reaction." 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday; 1502 Alabama; 713-529-6900; houstonremarket.com. FREE

Art

Road tripping

Want to feel like you're headed West, outta Dodge? Check out opening night for "The Beat'n Trail" at the Houston Arts Alliance. It's an eclectic group show of sculpture, painting, drawings and installations by five artists (Vachu Chilakamarri, Meredith "Butch" Jack, Kenny Lantz, Steve Neves, Katie Pell and George Zupp) whose trail of art-making has extended from Houston to Abilene, with stops in San Antonio and San Marcos. The opening reception starts at 5:30 p.m. Thursday; artists speak at 7. On view through Aug. 29. Alliance Gallery, 3201 Allen Parkway, Suite 125; 713-581-6120, houstonartsalliance.com. FREE

ANDREW DANSBY

Folk

When doves cry

Amanda Shires is an enormously talented singer-songwriter-fiddler from Mineral Wells who sings sad songs sweetly. Her 2011 album, "Carrying Lightning," was her breakthrough recording, and she followed it last year with the even better "Down Fell the Doves." 8:30 p.m. Friday at Dosey Doe Music Cafe, 463 FM 1488, Conroe; $20; 936-271-2171, doseydoe.com.

Country rock

Three for one

One of those something-for-everyone shows: Natural Child is a Nashville trio that walks the line between country and rock. Pujol also is based out of Nashville and makes songs well described by one of its albums: "Nasty, Brutish and Short." And Yonatan Gat was the guitarist for the gloriously anarchic art-rock band Monotonix. 8 p.m. Thursday at Walter's, 1120 Naylor; $10; 713-222-2679, waltersdowntown.com.

Rockabilly

Rock it

It's ducktail time again. Rock Baby Rock It is the Continental Club's annual throwdown of rockabilly featuring a few lost legends alongside some local practitioners of old time rock 'n' roll. This year's lineup includes "Ducktail" hitmaker Joe Clay, Sid King and Billy King, the Paladins and more. Thursday through Saturday at Continental Club, 3700 Main; $45 for three-day pass; 713-529-9899, continentalclub.com.

Roots music

Gone away

Robbie Fulks is a smart, sharp and sometimes funny lyricist and a formidable picker, too, whose music spans country, folk, rock and pop, with occasional covers of the Jackson 5 and Shania Twain. His latest, "Gone Away Backward," tends toward the quieter/contemplative side and is gripping from start to finish. 9:30 p.m. Saturday at McGonigel's Mucky Duck, 2425 Norfolk; $20-$22; 713-528-5999, mcgonigels.com.

Steven Brown

Classical music

New look at G&S

If your familiarity with Gilbert and Sullivan extends just as far as their three best-known comedies - "The Pirates of Penzance," "H.M.S. Pinafore" and "The Mikado" - "The Sorcerer" could give you a new appreciation for the British duo. The tale of a village turned upside down by a love potion, "The Sorcerer" boasts not only the familiar G&S tunefulness and wit, but some less-common ingredients, such as an incantation scene complete with pyrotechnics and a musical score that harks backs to the mellifluous style of composer Felix Mendelssohn, who was a favorite of 19th-century England. The Gilbert & Sullivan Society of Houston is staging "The Sorcerer" for only the third time in the group's history. 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 2:30 p.m. Sunday; Wortham Theater Center, 501 Texas; $39-$49; 281-724-8363, gilbertandsullivan.org.